Friday 25 October 2013

Understanding the Lawful, Unlawful and Doubtful : A Simple Analogy

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: 'Verily Halaal is clear, and verily Haraam is clear. And between them there are certain doubtful matters many people are unaware of, therefore, who stays away from doubtful matters, he has protected his Dien and honour. And who gets involved in doubtful matters, he would fall into Haraam.' - Bukhari/Muslim


This Hadith clearly places matters relating to us, into three specific classes:

Halaal : The lawful
Haraam : The unlawful or prohibited
Mushtabihaat : The doubtful


That which is Halaal offers safety; that which is Haraam signals danger; and the doubtful indicates to caution and abstinence.


All of us, who have the experience of driving, understand that the green traffic light gives us permission to drive – the green light indicates that it is safe to continue driving; the amber or yellow traffic light signals that we be cautious and that we slow down; and the red traffic light, denies us permission to continue driving – it warns us of danger if we do.


We understand that these are the rules and regulations of the road. If we do not stop at the red light, we will be fined, or may meet up with an accident and cause damage to our vehicle. We may even injure and harm ourselves – and we could also harm pedestrians who may be crossing the road. Many a time, there is loss of life. As such, we abide by the rules.


Allah Ta’ala has given us the green lights of Halaal enjoyments, the amber or yellow lights of caution, and the red lights of prohibitions.


The red lights of prohibitions are bright and clear. There is no doubt in them. They have been established in the Qur`aan Sharief, wherein there can be no difference of opinion and wherein there is no uncertainty. Zina (adultery), Ribaa (Usury / Interest), gambling, intoxicants, and so forth are clearly established as Muharramaat (prohibitions) in the Qur`aan Sharief.


Whilst Allah Ta’ala has given us these “red lights” of prohibitions and restrictions, He has also given us all the capacity and ability to put a “brake” on our nafs and to stop ourselves from sins. No person can say that he cannot abstain from sins or that it is impossible to give up sins. He can restrain himself and he can give up all sins, if he sincerely wants to please Allah Ta’ala. We all have courage. We only need to employ it in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala.


If we give unrestrained freedom to the nafs, and speed through these red lights in Dien – dangerously indulging in Haraam, then we will not only damage the physical body, we will also cause great harm to the soul. It is a fact that many have caused great harm to themselves spiritually, in violating the laws of Allah Ta’ala and indulgence in major sins, or have even destroyed their Imaan and destroyed their Aakhirah. (May Allah Ta’ala protect us all).


The “yellow lights” which Allah Ta’ala tests us with is that which is doubtful – and we are advised that it is best to be cautious and abstinent. This is beautifully contained in the Hadith: "Leave that which causes you doubt, for that which does not cause you doubt."[1] …This would be piety, and this is what offers protection to our Dien.


Alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala has given us the green lights of Halaal: There are so many types of foods and drinks to enjoy, different forms of recreation as is found in the Sunnah – which offer Halaal pleasure; celebrations such as Eid, Nikah, Walima; the comforts and happiness of marriage and children, etc. – that is, within the parameters of Dien and Shariah. …So Allah Ta’ala has granted plentiful.


Additionally, we have been promised much, much more in the Hereafter, in Jannah - if we abide by the rules and regulations in this worldly life. Allah Ta’ala has said: ‘I have prepared for My pious servants which the eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, and no human heart has ever perceived (such bounties).’[2]


Despite the freedom which the green light offers, caution still has to be exercised.


…When I started driving, I would drive through the green light, speedily – because it was my right of way. My Marhum father (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) cautioned me about this, saying that I should be careful and take precaution, even at the intersections, and even when it is my right of way, and the traffic light is green. And he explained that the driver from the other side may be negligent, and may not heed the red light and he could hit into the car I was driving. Naturally, I would then suffer the consequences as well.


Today, we find that certain Scholars and organisations give a “green light” where there should be caution or abstinence adopted. We find that photography is given the green light, with even some Ulama actively participating on television, YouTube, etc. – all of which has opened the door to much Fitnah.


We find that certain organisations give a “green light” to different types of foods, which they certify as Halaal, but which are sometimes not Halaal. This results in great spiritual harm and damage, because the Muslim believes he is traveling through a green light – so to speak, whereas the other party is driving through the red light, certifying some products as Halaal, without proper investigation or due to negligence.


…In South Africa, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, the Muslim communities have been left shaken at times, at the sheer carelessness in Halaal certification - of various items which have traces of pork, beef burgers which have horse meat, chickens which have not been slaughtered in accordance to Islamic law, and impure and Haraam ingredients introduced into other foods, which are certified Halaal. Even the non-Muslims are reeling in shock at the kind of ingredients that are brought into the meat they are consuming. It is now common knowledge to all, that many, many meat products and other foods on the market have incorrect labels - which leaves the Muslim especially, victim to both, ill-health and spiritual degeneration.


So, nowadays, a Muslim must be extremely careful and cautious even at the green light.


We also have the experience where the traffic light is on the blink. It continues blinking green or red or yellow – and drivers have to then take extra precaution and manoeuvre themselves safely through such intersections – because the traffic lights or robots are not working, and there are vehicles driving across.


Similarly, we have Ulama-e-Soo, or other groups, parties, sects whose teachings or belief systems are on the “blink” – so to speak. They are corrupt and present a different version of Islam, which is contaminated with Bid’aat and Haraam – which is not Islam, in its true and pristine form.


The Muslim has to thus be all the more cautious and manoeuvre himself safely through these evils and Fitan as well. Shiaism, Qadianism and other distorted belief systems have been established throughout the world, working towards ensnaring the unwary and unsuspecting Muslims.


Of course, we have the traffic department repairing those traffic lights on the blink or those not working, and they then work properly. So, if those who misrepresent and falsify Islamic teachings or have a corrupt agenda, whereby they use Islam to further their ends, sincerely repent, correct their Aqeedah, etc., then that is to their own benefit and advantage – in both worlds. ...Sincere Taubah gives the green light signal for salvation in the Aakhirah, and the green light for entrance into Jannah, Insha-Allah.


Whilst traffic lights establish control and smooth flow of traffic, Islam establishes harmony in a person’s life – with the fulfilment of the rights of Allah Ta’ala as well as the rights of creation. When we follow through with practising on Dien, we will enjoy peace, Sukoon and happiness.


May Allah Ta’ala protect us all, give us a good understanding, true appreciation, and the courage to restrain from Haraam.




[1] An-Nasaa’ee
[2] Sahih Muslim



Wednesday 23 October 2013

Thursday 17 October 2013

Increasing in Value

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem


A brick which is just lying on the ground has got no real value to anyone. However, if that same brick is used in the building of a house, it secures its value according to the house. The brick will have more value if it used in our local Masjid and will increase in its value, if used in the Jame Masjid of our town. …What to say if it would be used in the Haram of Madinah Sharief or in the Haram of Makkah Sharief?


Similarly, these sheep, goats, bulls, etc. are just ordinary animals. Once their Nisbat (connection) is established with Qurbaani – with the great sacrifice of Hadhrat Ibraheem (Alaihis salaam) and with the Command of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu, their value multiplies. Their Nisbat enhances their worth.


…Just looking at them, having love for them, attending to them, etc. are all valuable deeds in the Sight of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu! Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) had said, in regard to these animals for Qurbani, that a reward is written for every hair or every fibre of wool.[1]


The rewards that these animals hold will be multiplied further on the Day of Qiyamah, as has been related in the Hadith: “When a person slaughters a Qurbani animal, he is forgiven at the fall of the first drop of blood, and verily, the animal shall be brought forward on the Day of Judgment with its blood, meat, limbs, etc. and shall be increased in weight seventy times, and then placed on the scale of deeds.”[2]


By the same token, if a person keeps a horse for the Cause of Allah Ta’ala, the horse establishes a special connection (Nisbat) with Allah Ta’ala. Taking care of such a horse brings tremendous rewards. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallahu 'anhu) related that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: "If someone keeps a horse in Allah's Cause, motivated by his faith in Allah and his belief in His Promise, then he will be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection for what the horse has eaten or drunk, and for its dung and urine."


In another narration, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “…He to whom the horse will be a source of reward is the one who keeps it in Allah's Cause (prepares it for battle) and ties it by a long rope in a pasture (or a garden). He will get a reward equal to what its long rope allows it to eat in the pasture or the garden, and if that horse breaks its rope and crosses one or two hills, then all its foot-steps and its dung will be counted as good deeds for its owner; and if it passes by a river and drinks from it, then that will also be regarded as a good deed for its owner even if he has had no intention of watering it then…”


If this is the position of these animals in the Sight of Allah Ta’ala, what then of man himself, if he establishes Nisbat with Allah Ta’ala?


Man has been created from the earth, from dust.

“And of His signs is that He created you from dust…”
[Surah Ar-Rum 30 : 20]


If man makes an effort, striving against his nafs, obeying Allah Ta’ala, carrying out righteous deeds seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, the sand of his body will gain in value.


Our Shaykh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) had explained that the Ahlullah, the Auliya Allah have made the dust from which they have been created, valuable, through the blessings of their Nisbat with Allah Ta’ala. Whilst millions remain heedless and negligent of Allah Ta’ala, these special servants become most valuable and beloved to Allah Ta’ala, through this special Nisbat.


Hadhrat Moulana (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) likened mankind to glass bottles, which costs a few Rands or Rupees. If a bottle is filled with an expensive Itr (scent), the bottle becomes as valuable as the amount of scent poured into it. …We find that some Itr is priced at hundreds of Rands, some even more than a thousand Rand. The value of the bottle depends on the amount of scent it contains. Similarly, the value of man increases or decreases according to what fills his heart. If the Noor of Imaan and love of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) fills his heart, his value increases, in Allah Ta’ala’s Sight.  This is the lamp which lights up the path to Allah Ta’ala - to salvation, success and great rewards.


If the darkness of Kufr fills his heart, his value is lost. If a person dies in this condition, Aakhirah is lost. Nothing is gained. May Allah Ta’ala safeguard us all.


May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq to strive to attain that special Nisbat, whereby we too become valuable and beloved to Allah Ta’ala.



By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)





[1] Ibn Majah
[2] Kanzul Ummaal

Friday 4 October 2013

Cape Town Islaahi Jalsa | This Week-end



Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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